■ OBITUARIES

market for the U.S. with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; a one carrier concept of land and ocean services on one freight bill door-to-door. Jim said this had never been available and it greatly simplified shipping.

James Allen

“Jim” Justiss

CHERRYVILLE –James Allen “Jim” Justiss, 85, of Cherryville, passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023 at Wendover Hospice. He was born Nov. 12, 1937 in Coweta County to the late Leon and Lily Payton Justiss.

As a teenager, he achieved the ranks of Eagle Scout and God and Country award. This was a proud time and he said the award goes with you throughout your life.

He attended Berry College, in Rome, GA, as a work student. He met the love of his life, Martha, in Rome, GA, they were married and together until his death. His first job was in Atlanta with a company that filed tariffs for the trucking companies. In 1963, he was promoted to weighing and inspection manager for the state of Florida.

They moved to Jacksonville and traveled the state working with shippers and trucking companies. He said Carolina stood out above other trucking companies when he had an opportunity to apply for and join Carolina as a sales representative in 1966. His job covered a large sales area but also included port operations of ocean carriers, consolidators, and forwarders. This later resulted in several trips to Puerto Rico to develop this market. He said he now “had salt in his shoes.” John “Buck” Fraley, President and CEO, asked him to move to Cherryville headquarters and develop an International Division. He moved in 1974.

The first four years involved developing Carolina’s trucking services to and from ocean carriers, consolidators, and freight forwarders. He also established sales agents in Canada and Mexico. In early 1980 a major development of future ocean services was launched. Carolina became the first U.S. trucking company to provide door-to-door service to an offshore market in Puerto Rico. This was a very large

■ POLICE

ARRESTS

Paul R. Putnam

KINGS MOUNTAIN – Mr. Paul Putnam, 90, of Tobe Bridge Rd., passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at Atrium Health Cleveland.

Mr. Putnam was born on Sept. 9, 1932, in Cleveland County, NC, a son of the late Jasper Rufus Putnam and Dona Beattie Putnam. He was retired from Beam Grading in Cherryville. Mr.

He said in less than a year, Carolina became the number one service in the market. The leadership continued and accelerated.

They had their own employees and warehouse. Jim said opening of other world markets followed soon, 130 countries. Approximate order, other Caribbean Islands, West Indies (via Puerto Rico), Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Central and South America, UK, Ireland, Europe, (included some transshipments to Africa over Rotterdam), Asia, Australia, New Zealand, transshipments to various Pacific Islands (via Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand ports), South Africa, and Israel. He said this required extensive travel, setting up networks of agents around the world, different languages (thankfully most spoke English); and each country had its own laws, customs, and marketing to learn.

In 1982, Jim was promoted to an officer of Carolina, VP of International. He also served as President of International NVOCC (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier) Association, Washington, DC. In 1994, the demise of Carolina became apparent. Carolina’s holding company, Carolina Freight Corporation, decided to spin off the International Division into a separate company. It was named CaroTrans International.

Jim was named President of the new company with world headquarters in Cherryville. Many overseas agents learned where Cherryville was located by visiting the offices for planning and to learn more about the company. He said CaroTrans continued to operate in Cherryville for three or four years after the demise of Carolina. Finally, the owners decided to move the headquarters to Chicago or New Jersey. Jim said he was not prepared to make that move. He did not believe many or any of the wonderful employees in Cherryville would transfer. It was time to retire at 59, earlier than planned.

Jim said what they accomplished with Carolina International and CaroTrans for the community, employment opportunities, and recognition, credit goes to the support of many Carolina managers and the wonderful team of professional employees in Cherryville headquarters of Carolina Int’l and CaroTrans. Also, the various port operations personnel. He said as a note, CaroTrans is still in business, headquartered in NJ.

Putnam was a member of Mary’s Grove Community Church. He was a lifelong farmer and enjoyed growing and selling what he grew. Mr. Putnam served in the U.S. Army as a military policeman.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Annie Lou Hastings Putnam. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Alan and Tina Putnam; Todd and Jennifer Putnam all of Kings Mountain; Dennis and Shea Putnam of Chesnee; two daughters and a son-in-law, Denise and Marcus Parenti of York, SC; Ann Kinney of Matthews; two sisters, Perline Black and Jo Costner, both of Shelby; 10 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

It was time to catch up on his fishing and travelling by car with his wife, Martha. They covered parts of 49 states (sorry Alaska). They did it again a few years later with their grandchildren, covering 35 to 40 states and part of Canada and Mexico by van. What great memories. The grandchildren still talk about the places they visited. He was a devoted grandfather and truly lived for moments spent with the grandchildren.

Jim was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and served on church council. He delivered meals on wheels in Cherryville starting in 2008. Jim said that was a very worthwhile and rewarding service.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Lesia Gay Mull; son, Jonathan Lane Justiss; and sisters, Carolyn Robertson, Joyce Robertson, and Mildred Rainwater.

Survivors include his wife, Martha Justiss; son, Roger Lee Justiss; grandchildren, John Michael Mull, James Matthew Mull, Timothy Allen Justiss, Christopher Lane Justiss and wife, Ivy; and great-granddaughter, Isabella Justiss.

A memorial service was held Wednesday, July 12, 2023 at 2 p.m., at St. John’s Lutheran Church with Pastor G. Scott Homesley officiating. The family received friends Wednesday, from 1 to 1:45 p.m., prior to the service in the church sanctuary.

A burial service will be held at a later date in Grantville, GA.

Memorials may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 100, Cherryville, NC, 28021.

Condolences may be made to www.carpenterporter.com.

Carpenter – Porter Funeral and Cremation Services served the family of Mr. Justiss.

Funeral services were held at 3 p.m., on Sunday, July 16, 2023 at Mary’s Grove Community Church Cemetery with Rev. Renee Bingham officiating.

The family greeted friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

Burial was in the church cemetery with military honors.

Memorials may be made to Mary’s Grove Community Church, Cemetery Fund, 1223 Mary’s Grove Church Rd., Kings Mountain, NC, 28086.

A guest register is available at www.stameycherryvillefuneralhome.com.

Stamey – Cherryville Funeral Home & Cremation Service served the family of Mr. Putnam.

7-3: Amanda Kay Whitesides, 44, 609 Park Ave., Shelby; one count felony possession of a Schedule II controlled substance. $2,500 secured bond.

7-3: Tracy Hardin, 46, 156 Delta Park Dr., Apt. 7, Shelby; one count misdemeanor no OL. Summons/cited.

7-4: Wesley Keith Hudson, 43, 207 Dale Dr., Cherryville; misdemeanor possession of Schedule III controlled substance. Released on a written promise.

7-9: Corey Nathaniel Carpenter, 33, 706 South Styers St., Cherryville; misdemeanor assault and battery. $2,500 unsecured bond.

7-12: Jonathon Kyle Choate, 38, 2020 Kollege Ln, Crouse; was arrested by GCPD officers at 4602 Dallas – Cherryville Hwy., Gastonia, for two (2) counts of drug/narcotic violations.

INCIDENTS found fentanyl (0.70 grams) at Murphy Gas station in Cherryville. Case is active.

7-3: CPD officer reports possession of Schedule II controlled substance (methamphetamine) and no OL by listed suspects who possessed narcotics. Closed/cleared by arrest.

7-5: Cherryville hardware business and employee report misdemeanor larceny ($189.99/ jet assembly for water well) by listed suspect who stole listed item. Case is active and under further investigation.

7-5: Kings Mountain woman reports B&E at Cherryville residence by unknown person(s) who opened a porch window at her residence. Case is inactive.

7-7: GCPD officers report further investigation into a motor vehicle theft at 1047 Qmys End Trl., Cherryville.

7-9: Cherryville man reports assault and battery by listed suspect who assaulted him, causing minor injuries. Closed/cleared by arrest.

7-11: GCPD officers report further investigation into a drug/narcotic violation and a drug equipment violation at 767 Hephzibah Church Rd., Crouse.

7-12: GCPD officers report further investigation into a larceny/other incident at Harrelson Rd., and Vernon St., Cherryville. WRECKS

7-8: A vehicle owned by